It was 1945 when Don and Nita Hoel left their Glendale, Arizona cattle ranch and moved to Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona . They purchased a small group of cabins called Glenwood. In the years that followed, they would add 15 cabins to the existing five and build a grocery store for their guests. This small getaway to the "cool pines" would become known as Don Hoel's Cabins.   At that time, it was an 8-hour trip from Phoenix and while it was a popular place for families to come and fish and vacation, there were comparatively few accommodations in the area.

"Just Moved In..." Don & Nita Hoel with their daughter, Marva, in 1946

Most of the land was still undeveloped. In those days, members of the Navajo, Hopi and Zuni Indian tribes came to Oak Creek Canyon to gather wild celery and many other herbs that they used for seasoning food and for medicine. When they stopped at the grocery store, they soon found that Don Hoel would buy their jewelry, rugs, kachina dolls and baskets.  Don and Nita sold the Native American art on a shelf next to the fishing tackle in the store.

HOEL'S INDIAN SHOP was born.  Don Hoel was very interested in the meaning of the kachinas and the designs on the baskets and jewelry.  He got to know and become good friends with many artists who brought their handmade things to Oak Creek Canyon. These artists soon understood that he was interested in well-crafted baskets, rugs and jewelry made with only the best materials.  Don Hoel did not accept sloppy work.  He continued to learn more about Indian art and as his interest grew, so did his collection. Don & Nita built a vault in the back of their home behind the grocery store. 

The result was a shop where people could buy anything from beautiful gold and turquoise jewelry to traditional silver, but always with the same promise of quality. Don & Nita's Indian art, especially their jewelry, became quite well known, and was featured in many Arizona Highways magazines pictorials and articles. Don became a recognized authority in thefield.  He created interest in the beautiful art of the southwest.  As interest grew, more collectors enjoyed being invited back to "the vault" to see and buy some of the beautiful things in Don and Nita's collection. In the early 1970's they hired someone to manage the cabins and built their home 500 ft. up the road. It was there that HOEL'S INDIAN SHOP was relocated and remains today. 

Despite Don's death in 1983 and Nita's death in 1998, HOEL'S INDIAN SHOP continues to operate under the guidance of Don and Nita's grandson, David Watters and his wife Carol. They are still buying and selling only the highest quality merchandise so collectors can still find the same beautiful and unusual things that they have come to depend on from HOEL'S INDIAN SHOP.

HOEL'S Indian Shop
9589 North Highway 89A
Sedona, Arizona 86336-9607

928.282.3925